Natural Resources (BS): Marine and Coastal Concentration
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources is available with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Resources.
Marine scientists explore all aspects of the seas and coastal regions, seeking to understand how the oceans, their biological communities, the solid earth and the atmosphere interact. As professionals with interdisciplinary training, marine scientists are needed to advise business, industry and governments on the potential impact of human activities and the wise use of marine resources. Marine scientists work for consulting firms; regulatory agencies; the mass media; business and industry; federal, state and local governments; academic laboratories; research and education organizations; and nonprofit environmental watchdog groups.
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Core Courses | |||
| MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4 | |
| MEA 101 | Geology I: Physical | 3 | |
| MEA 110 | Geology I Laboratory | 1 | |
| MEA 130 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 | |
| MEA 135 | Introduction to Weather and Climate Laboratory | 1 | |
| MEA 200 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 | |
| MEA 210 | Oceanography Lab | 1 | |
| MEA 220 | Marine Biology | 3 | |
| MEA 250 | Introduction to Coastal Environments | 3 | |
| MEA 251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory | 1 | |
| MEA 459 | Field Investigation of Coastal Processes | 5 | |
| MEA 469 | Ecology of Coastal Resources | 3 | |
| GIS 280 | Introduction to GIS | 3 | |
| Advised Elective 1 | 3 | ||
Advised electives to be chosen with advisor and should be a science, math, engineering or GIS course at the 400 level or higher. | |||
| Select one of the following Chemistry options: | 3 | ||
| Geochemistry of Natural Waters | |||
| Principles of Chemical Oceanography | |||
| Principles of Chemical Oceanography | |||
| NR 400 | Natural Resource Management | 4 | |
| Math/Statistics/Orientation | |||
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 2 | 3 | |
| MA 231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B | 3 | |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| COS 100 | Science of Change | 2 | |
| Chemistry/Physics/Natural Sciences | |||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science | 3 | |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| ZO 350 | Animal Phylogeny and Diversity | 4 | |
| CH 201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science | 3 | |
| CH 202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| AEC 360 | Ecology | 4 | |
| or PB 360 | Ecology | ||
| Select one of the following Physics courses: | 4 | ||
| College Physics I | |||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory | |||
| Select one of the following Physics courses: | 4 | ||
| College Physics II | |||
| Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | |||
| SSC 200 & SSC 201 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 | |
| AEC 420 | Introduction to Fisheries Science | 3 | |
| English/Writing | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | ||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | |||
| Communication for Business and Management | |||
| Communication for Science and Research | |||
| Humanities/Social Sciences | |||
| PS 201 | American Politics and Government | 3 | |
| or PS 202 | State and Local Government | ||
| Select one of the following Economics courses: | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | |||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | |||
| Principles of Microeconomics | |||
| Fundamentals of Economics | |||
| ARE 336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 | |
| or EC 336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | ||
| PS 336 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 | |
| Health & Exercise Science | |||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | ||
| HESA 226 | Skin and Scuba Diving I | 1 | |
| or HESO 253 | Orienteering | ||
| GEP Courses | |||
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
- 2
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Semester Sequence
Critical Path Courses -Identify using the code (CP) which courses are considered critical path courses which represent specific major requirements that are predictive of student success in a given program/plan. Place the (CP) next to the credit hours for the course.
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A (CP) 1 | 3 |
| MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections 2 | 4 |
| MEA 101 | Geology I: Physical 2 | 3 |
| MEA 110 | Geology I Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| COS 100 | Science of Change | 2 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity (CP) 3 | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| MA 231 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B (CP) 3 | 3 |
| MEA 130 | Introduction to Weather and Climate 2 | 3 |
| MEA 135 | Introduction to Weather and Climate Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science (CP) 1 | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 3 | 1 |
| MEA 200 | Introduction to Oceanography (CP) 2 | 3 |
| MEA 210 | Oceanography Lab 2 | 1 |
| PS 336 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 |
| MEA 220 | Marine Biology 2 | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CH 201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 3 | 3 |
| CH 202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 3 | 1 |
| Economics Elective | 3 | |
| MEA 250 | Introduction to Coastal Environments 2 | 3 |
| MEA 251 | Introduction to Coastal Environments Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| HESA 226 | Skin and Scuba Diving I | 1 |
| ZO 350 | Animal Phylogeny and Diversity 3 | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| PB 360 | Ecology 3 | 4 |
| PY 211 | College Physics I 1 | 4 |
| ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics 3 | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Chemistry Option Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Advanced Writing Elective | 3 | |
| ARE/EC 336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| MEA 469 | Ecology of Coastal Resources 2 | 3 |
| PY 212 | College Physics II 3 | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| MEA 459 | Field Investigation of Coastal Processes 2 | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| PS 336 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 |
| Advised Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEC 420 | Introduction to Fisheries Science 3 | 3 |
| GIS 280 | Introduction to GIS 2 | 3 |
| NR 400 | Natural Resource Management 2 | 4 |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science 3 | 3 |
| SSC 201 | Soil Science Laboratory 3 | 1 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
- 2
No more than one D will be accepted in major core courses.
- 3
No more than one D will be accepted in other basic math or science courses.
Career Opportunities
MEAS undergraduate degree programs provide talented students with the foundation of scientific knowledge required for careers in government, industry, or academia. Many students pursue graduate degrees after completion of an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources.
Marine Sciences graduates go on to become oceanographers, to manage our coastal resources, model air-sea interaction, and explore global climate change. They conduct basic and applied research, serving as environmental consultants for industry and governmental agencies, policy and management experts for governmental agencies, and environmental science educators. Graduates with a Natural Resources degree are versed in the fundamental processes and interdisciplinary nature of the coastal zone. As scientists, managers, administrators, and regulators, they make decisions regarding use and conservation of coastal and marine resources.
MEAS graduates play a key service role for the State of North Carolina, assisting in everything from forecasting severe storms and analyzing the impact of atmospheric pollutants on agriculture and our estuaries, to determining the effects of toxic waste disposal on quality of surface and ground water.
Career Titles
- Climate Change Policy Analysts
- Conservation Scientist
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Research Analyst
- Forest and Conservation Technician
- Forest and Conservation Workers
- Forester
- Forestry and Conservation Science Professor
- Park Naturalist
- Range Manager
- Soil Conservationist
- Wildlife Control Agent
- Natural Resources Management and Policy
- Conservation Scientist
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Research Analyst
- Fish and Game Warden
- Forest and Conservation Workers
- Forester
- Landfill Inspectors
- Range Manager
- Soil Conservationist
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
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